Well today was the day :( My beloved friend, Brian Berry, has now been laid to rest.

I took this photo after the service, which was a touching and humourous one. When we were asked to share our stories and memories of Brain, one of his coworkers told us how you could always smell Brian coming from a mile away. Many people laughed because Brian was known for his strong cologne. :)

His friend then pulled out a bottle of Old Spice from his pocket and poured some on the velvet bag containing Brian's ashes and other things that his family included to be buried.

It was a wonderful and memorable moment that brought a smile to us all.

When I spoke, I cried of course, and I talked of Brian's generous and selfless nature and how well he took care of my mother for all those years and how important it was for him to bring people together. I knew that those of us there (and there were a lot!) had all been blessed by Brian's kindness and sincerity, and many hugs were shared afterwards despite many of us not knowing one another.

Brian's family invited me to join them after the service, which meant a lot. Over biscuits and smoothies we talked, and next week they will be bringing me some things of my mother's that were found in Brian's apartment this week.

A few times Brian's sister said how glad she was that Brian's friend found my number, and she, just like Brian's friend, believed that Brian had been waiting for my visit before he left this world.

If that really was the case, I am so very grateful that he waited.

This whole process has been lined with magic all the way through, and it only deepens my love for life, for good humans and for those who I'm so lucky to have in my world.

I would also like to express my sadness that one of Brian's dear friends was not there to join us today. I held her in my heart the whole time, and spoke of the gift she gave me when I received her message the day before he passed.

She is the reason I could be there today, and the reason I got to say goodbye.